Four students participate in class discussion.
Department Of

Psychology

A professor teaches a small classroom of students with chalkboard in the background. A professor teaches a small classroom of students with chalkboard in the background.
WHY PSYCHOLOGY

Equipped to Explore Life’s Complex Questions

Psychology is the study of humanity—how and why humans behave the way they do. As you study psychology at Huntington University, you will grow an appreciation for the discipline of psychology and a deeper understanding of the complexity of human behavior. This field of study gives you the tools to help yourself and others live meaningfully. The department’s goal is to help you engage in a Christ-centered approach to humanity. 

At Huntington University, our Christian liberal arts setting puts us in a unique place to explore every aspect of psychology. Get ready to grow in:

  • understanding complex human behavior
  • integrating faith with psychology
  • approaching humanity with a Christian lens
  • thinking critically about faith and practice
  • collaborating on vital research projects
  • helping others live meaningful lives

Psychology Major & Minor

Degree Pathways

What careers can a psychology degree prepare me for?
Pre-Professional Psychology

Credit Range: (41-43 hours, with additional coursework recommended upon advisement)

What this pathway prepares you for: Provides a rigorous foundation for graduate study in psychology, emphasizing research, specialization, and practical experience to prepare students for advanced academic work in master’s and doctoral programs in specialized fields of psychology (e.g., clinical, social, developmental, etc.). 

Key Courses & Experiences: 

  • Psychology core & internship at Bowen Health (if clinical focus) or summer research internship (29-31 hours)
  • PYXXX – Course in area of focus (e.g., psychology course developmental, counseling, health, sports, etc.)
  • PY441 – Personality Psychology (3 hours)
  • PY452 – Special Topics in Psychology (3 hours)
  • PY490 – Independent Study in Psychology (3 hours)
HU Pre-Grad Counseling

Credit Range: (41-43 hours) – qualifying students can take up to 12 graduate credits during their junior and senior years

What this pathway prepares you for: Prepares students for advanced study in counseling by combining foundational psychology coursework with graduate-level training through Huntington University’s graduate Mental Health Counseling program.

Key Courses & Experiences: 

  • Psychology core & internship at Bowen Health or related organization (29-31 hours)
  • CN603 – Counseling Theories (3 hours)
  • CN610 – Foundations & Dimensions of MH Counseling OR CN601 – Human Growth and Development (3 hours)
  • CN602 – Legal, Ethical & Professional Issues (3 hours)
  • CN608 – Methods & Practice of Research (3 hours)
HU Pre-MBA

Credit Range: (53-55 hours)

What this pathway prepares you for: Combines psychology and business education to prepare students for graduate business studies in Huntington University’s Master of Business Administration program, focusing on leadership, innovation, and strategic management for dynamic careers in the corporate and non-profit world.

Key Courses & Experiences: 

  • Psychology core & business-related internship (29-31 hours)
  • PY261 – Group Dynamics (3 hours)
  • PY231 – Psychology of Health and Wellness (3 hours)
  • PY411 – Fundamentals of Counseling (3 hours)
  • PY452 – Special Topics in Psychology OR PY395 Practicum (3 hours)
  • Courses from HU MBA Program (12 hours). Choose four courses from
    • MB501 – Leading Leaders
    • MB502 – Building Healthy Culture & Performance
    • MB504 – Business Development and Sustainability
    • MB505 – Management Strategies
    • MB506 – Performance Optimizing Organizations
    • MB507 – Business Creativity and Innovation
    • MB508 – Business Research Methods
    • MB509 – Product Design and Life Cycle Strategies
    • MB510 – Emerging Trends in Marketing and Branding
    • MB514 – Understanding Financial Accounting
    • MB515 – Financial Decision Making
HU Pre-OTD

Credit Range: (51-53 hours)

What this pathway prepares you for: Designed for students wanting to pursue Huntington University’s Doctor of Occupational Therapy program, this pathway combines psychology, health sciences, and hands-on experience to meet all OTD prerequisites and prepare graduates for impactful careers in occupational therapy.

Key Courses & Experiences: 

  • Psychology core & internship at Bowen Health, local school corporation, or related organization depending on desired specialty (29-31 hours)
  • PY231 – Psychology of Health & Wellness
  • PY232 – Education of the Exceptional Learner OR additional Developmental Psych course (211/215; 3 hours)
  • PY411 – Fundamentals of Counseling (3 hours)
  • PY452 – Special Topics in Psychology (3 hours)
  • BI241/L – Anatomy & Physiology I (4 hours)
  • BI242/L – Anatomy & Physiology II (4 hours)
  • BI287 – Medical Terminology (2 hours)

Note: Huntington University graduates who meet the admission requirements for the program are guaranteed admission and qualify for a 25% discount off tuition. 

Art Therapy

Credit Range: (Psych Major paired with the AT minor; 53-55 hours)

What this pathway prepares you for: Merges psychological principles with an Art Therapy minor, training students to use artistic expression as a therapeutic tool for healing and personal growth in clinical and community settings.

Key Courses & Experiences: 

  • Psychology core & internship at Bowen Health or related organization (29-31 hours)
  • Two of the Following (6 hours)
    • PY231 – Psychology of Health & Wellness
    • PY261 – Group Dynamics
    • Additional Developmental Psych course (PY215/211)
  • One of the following (3 hours)
    • PY452 – Special Topics in Psychology (3 hours)
    • PY441 – Personality Psychology (3 hours)
  • PY411 – Fundamental of Counseling (3 hours)
  • AR111 – Drawing I (3 hours)
  • AR385 – Art Therapy (3 hours; includes field experience)
  • One of the following (3 hours)
    • AR142 – Basic 3D Design (3 hours)
    • AR331 – Sculpture (3 hours)
  • One of the following (3 hours)
    • AR211 – Drawing II (3 hours)
    • AR225 – Painting I (3 hours)
Mental Health & Pre-Counseling

Credit Range: (41-43 hours)

What this pathway prepares you for: A flexible pathway that prepares Psychology majors for service-oriented careers or graduate study in counseling by emphasizing counseling skills, mental health theory, and applied practice.

Key Courses & Experiences: 

  • Psychology core & internship at Bowen Health or related organization (29-31 hours)
  • Two of the Following (6 hours)
    • PY231 – Psychology of Health & Wellness
    • PY236 – Educational Psychology
    • PY232 – Educational of the Exceptional Learner
    • PY261 – Group Dynamics
    • Additional Developmental Psych course (PY215/211)
  • One of the following (3 hours)
    • PY452 – Special Topics in Psychology (3 hours)
    • PY441 – Personality Psychology (3 hours)
  • PY411 – Fundamental of Counseling (3 hours)
Data Analytics

Credit Range: (Psych Major paired with the DA certificate; 53-55 hours)

 

What this pathway prepares you for: Equips students with analytical and research skills by pairing psychology with data science, preparing graduates to understand the human element while interpreting complex data and driving evidence-based decision-making in various professional contexts.

Key Courses & Experiences: 

  • Psychology core & Business data internship (29-31 hours)
  • PY452 – Special Topics in Psychology (3 hours)
  • PY395 – Practicum in Psychology (research focus; 3 hours)
  • PY490 – Independent Study (3 hours)
  • PYXXX – elective
  • Certificate in Data Analytics (12 hours)
    • CS111 – Introduction to Computer Science (3 hours)
    • CS415 – Database Management Systems (3 hours)
    • MA150 – Introduction to Data Analysis (3 hours)
    • MA151 – Introduction to Probability & Statistics (3 hours)
Law Enforcement & Justice

Credit Range: (Psychology major paired with a minor in Criminal Justice; 53-55 hours)

What this pathway prepares you for: Integrates psychology with criminal justice, preparing students to apply behavioral science in law enforcement, corrections, advocacy, and legal settings for careers that promote justice and community safety.

Key Courses & Experiences: 

  • Psychology core & criminal justice or Bowen Health internship (29-31 hours)
  • Additional Developmental Psych course (PY215/211)
  • PY261 – Group Dynamics (3 hours)
  • PY411 – Fundamentals of Counseling (3 hours) or PY452 – Special Topics in Psychology (3 hours)
  • PY441 – Theories of Personality (3 hours)
  • CJ105 – Introduction to Law (3 hours)
  • CJ111 – Introduction to Criminal Justice (3 hours)
  • CJ345 – Criminology (3 hours)
  • Additional course in CJ (3 hours)

Note: Completing a double major in psychology and criminal justice is also a common choice.

People & Organizations

Credit Range: (53-55 hours)

What this pathway prepares you for: Develops future leaders who understand human behavior in organizational settings, integrating psychology with business skills to prepare graduates for careers in management, human resources, and organizational development.

Key Courses & Experiences: 

  • Psychology core & business-related internship (29-31 hours)
  • PY261 – Group Dynamics (3 hours)
  • PY231 – Psychology of Health and Wellness (3 hours)
  • PY411 – Fundamentals of Counseling (3 hours)
  • PY452 – Special Topics in Psychology OR PY395 Practicum (3 hours)
  • Business Management certificate (12 hours)
    • BA252 Business Organization and Management (3)
    • BA281 Principles of Marketing  (3) or BA 232 Accounting and Finance for Entrepreneurs (3)
    • BA331 Operations Management (3)
    • BA431 Human Resource Management (3)
Child Psychology

Credit Range: (41-43 hours)

What this pathway prepares you for: Focuses on understanding and supporting the development of children, preparing students for careers in educational, clinical, and advocacy roles that promote the well-being of young learners.

Key Courses & Experiences: 

  • Psychology core & internship at Bowen Health or related organization (29-31 hours)
  • PY232 – Education of the Exceptional Learner (3 hours)
  • PY236 – Educational Psychology (3 hours)
  • PY411 – Fundamentals of Counseling (3 hours)
  • PY441 – Theories of Personality OR PY452 – Topics in Psychology (3 hours)

Note: Additional courses in Child Welfare (SW242) and Addictions (SW236) are also recommended.

Human Services & Christian Care

Credit Range: (47-49 hours)

What this pathway prepares you for: Empowers students to serve diverse communities through a blend of psychology, social work, and faith-based care, preparing students for a variety of jobs in social services, mental health care, and holistic well-being in a variety of settings.

Key Courses & Experiences: 

  • Psychology core & internship at Bowen Health, YMCA, Pathfinder, a church, or related organization (29-31 hours)
  • PY231 – Psychology of Health and Wellness (3 hours)
  • PY261 – Group Dynamics (3 hours)
  • PY411 – Fundamentals of Counseling (3 hours)
  • Additional Developmental Psych course (PY215/211; 3 hours)
  • SW236 – Addictions (3 hours)
  • SWK2XX - Christian Trauma Informed Care (3 hours)

Additional minors in Social Work (+12 hours) or Christian Ministry (+20 hours) are available as well.

IS PSYCHOLOGY A GOOD FIT FOR YOU?

You might be a future psychologist if…

If you’re looking for a field of study that is complex, varied, and full of possibility, you’re in the right place. Through comprehensive teaching that fosters critical thinking skills and promotes discipleship, you will be equipped to succeed in both a career and your walk with Christ. 

With a degree in psychology, you can enter the workforce and your community as an agent for change, helping people with a variety of questions and needs find comfort and answers. You’ll learn key concepts about development, perception, counseling, and more, then use them in the career field that suits your gifts and goals. 

Career Opportunities
  • Mental health manager
  • Disability service manager
  • School counselor or psychologist
  • Educator
  • Leader of a nonprofit organization
  • Mental health counselor
  • Play therapist
  • Marriage and family therapist
BreAnna

I feel that the courses always made sure to connect the information to real life scenarios, giving us the ability to not only learn the information but allow us to take that information and apply it to our work with others, especially after graduating and moving into the workforce.

Hannah

The program’s biggest strengths were the people and the pace. Professors were accessible and honest with feedback, classes were small enough to really engage, and the curriculum built solid skills in assessment, data collection, and ethics. I left feeling prepared to step into client work and to keep learning on the job. I genuinely enjoyed my classes because the professors were engaged, fun to learn with, and clearly invested in our growth.

Brianna

The professors made themselves available and had flexible open office hours if extra assistance was needed or even if you just needed a listening ear. They are open and honest. They truly make the program!

Gretchen

I loved how personal the psychology program was. None of my class sizes were huge which allowed for psych majors to get to know one another, and the professors, especially by senior year.

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Meet the Faculty and Staff

Why Choose HU?

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Cost of Attendance

Huntington University is dedicated to providing several paths for financial assistance as you invest in your education and future. Each student’s financial aid package is unique and complements our competitive tuition. Online tools are available to help you calculate your investment. 

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Christ-Centered Focus

In addition to providing you with a nationally-recognized education, we aim to help you experience the cross-section between faith and education. Discover who God wants you to be alongside a close-knit, Christ-centered community. When you’re at HU, you’re home.

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